LATICRETE INTERNATIONAL, INC.
1 LATICRETE Park North
Bethany, CT 06524-3423 USA
Telephone: +1.203.393.0010, ext. 235
Toll Free: 1.800.243.4788, ext. 235
Fax: +1.203.393.1948
E-mail: technicalservices@laticrete.com
Web site: http://www.laticrete.com


LATICRETE^® 253 Gold

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

LATICRETE 253 Gold is a superior polymer fortified bagged cementitious thin-set powder to be mixed with water to install ceramic tile and natural stone using the thin-set method of installation.

Uses

Designed for interior and exterior floor and wall installations of all types of ceramic tiles, porcelain tile and stone over concrete, exterior glue plywood and a variety of substrates.

• Interior and exterior
• Exceeds ANSI A118.4 Shear Bond Strength Requirements
• Bonds to most surfaces

• Concrete
• Cement mortar beds
• Ceramic tile and stone
• Exterior glue plywood*
• Properly prepared vinyl or other resilent tile*
• Non-water soluble cut-back adhesives*
• Concrete masonry
• Cement plaster
• Brick masonry
• Cement terrazzo
• Gypsum wallboard*
• Plastic laminate*
• Cement backer board**

• Not for use directly over particle board, luan, Masonite^® or hardwood floors
• Use LATAPOXY^® 300 Adhesive for installing green marble, water sensitive stone, resin backed stone or tile and agglomerates
• Use white mortar for white or light-colored marble/stone
• Not for use in submerged applications. For these applications, use LATICRETE 254 Platinum
• Adhesives/mastics, mortars and grouts for ceramic tile, pavers, brick and stone are not designed as replacements for waterproof membranes. When a waterproof barrier is required, use a LATICRETE Waterproofing Membrane (see Section 10 FILING SYSTEMS)
• Note: Surfaces must be structurally sound, stable and rigid enough to support ceramic/stone tile, thin brick and similar finishes. Substrate deflection under all live, dead and impact loads, including concentrated loads, must not exceed L/360 for thin bed ceramic tile/brick installations or L/480 for thin bed stone installations where L=span length.

• Some marbles and other natural stone have low flexural strength and may not be suitable for installation over wood floors
• During cold weather, protect finished work from traffic until fully cured
• Contains portland cement and silica sand. May irritate eyes and skin. Avoid contact with eyes or prolonged contact with skin. In case of contact, flush thoroughly with water
• Do not take internally. Silica sand may cause cancer or serious lung problems. Avoid breathing dust. Wear a respirator in dusty areas
• Keep out of reach of children

1. Installer must verify that deflection under all live, dead and impact loads of interior plywood floors does not exceed industry standards of L/360 for ceramic tile and brick or L/480 for stone installations where L=span length
2. Minimum construction for interior plywood floors.
   SUBFLOOR: 5/8" (15 mm) thick exterior glue plywood, either plain with all sheet edges blocked or tongue and groove, over bridged joints spaced 16" (400 mm) o.c. maximum; fasten plywood 6" (150 mm) o.c. along sheet ends and 8" (200 mm) o.c. along intermediate supports with 8d ring-shank, coated or hot dip galvanized nails (or screws); allow 1/8" (3 mm) between sheet ends and 1/4" (6 mm) between sheets edges; all sheet ends must be supported by a framing member; glue sheets to joints with construction adhesive.
   UNDERLAYMENT: 5/8" (15 mm) thick exterior glue plywood fastened 6" (150 mm) o.c. along sheet ends and 8" (200 mm) o.c. in the panel field (both directions) with 8d ring-shank, coated or hot dip galvanized nails (or screws); allow 1/8" (3 mm) to 1/4" (6 mm) between sheets and 1/4" (6 mm) between sheet edges and any abutting surfaces; offset underlayment joints from joints in subfloor and stagger joints between sheet ends; glue underlayment to subfloor with construction adhesive. Refer to Technical Data Sheet 152 "Requirements for Direct Bonding of Ceramic or Stone Tiles Over Wood Floors" for complete details

Place clean, potable water into a clean pail. Add LATICRETE 253 Gold. Use approximately 5.5 qts (5.2 l) of water for 50 lbs (22.7 kg) of powder. Mix by hand or with a slow speed mixer to a smooth, trowelable consistency. Allow mortar to slake for 5–10 minutes. Remix without adding any more water or powder. During use, stir occasionally to keep mix fluffy. Do not temper with water.

Apply mortar to the substrate with the flat side of the trowel, pressing firmly to work into surface. Comb on additional mortar with the notched side.
Note: Use the proper sized notched trowel to ensure full bedding of the tile. Spread as much mortar as can be covered with tile in 15–20 minutes. Back butter large tiles >8" × 8" (>200 mm × 200 mm) to provide full bedding and firm support. Place tiles into wet, sticky mortar and beat in using a beating block and rubber mallet to embed tile and adjust level. Check mortar for complete coverage by periodically removing a tile and inspecting bedding mortar transfer onto back of tile. If mortar is skinned over (not sticky), remove and replace with fresh mortar.

Grout installation after a minimum of 24 hours curing time at 70°F (21°C). Grout with LATICRETE SpectraLOCK^®† PRO Grout, LATICRETE PermaColor^™ Grout mixed with water or LATICRETE 1500 Sanded Grout or LATICRETE 1600 Unsanded Grout gauged with LATICRETE 1776 Grout Enhancer or with water.
† United States Invention Patent No.: 6881768 (and other Patents)

LATICRETE^® and LATAPOXY^® grouts require routine cleaning with a neutral pH soap and water. All other LATICRETE and LATAPOXY materials require no maintenance but installation performance and durability may depend on properly maintaining products supplied by other manufacturers.